Childhood Lost

Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).

Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.

Anne Dachel, Media editor, Age of Autism

(John Dachel, Tech. assist.)

"What will happen in another 4 years? How can we go on like this? This is a national (and international) problem of monumental proportions. We have an entire new class of children who cannot be accommodated by the system: many are manifestly neurologically impaired. Meanwhile, the government and the medical profession sleep on regardless."

John Stone,

UK media editor, Age of Autism

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"The generation of American children born after 1990 are arguably the sickest generation in the history of our country."

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

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Oct 29, 2017, Plattsburgh (NY) Press Republican: Student mental health issues now a growing concern for school leaders http://www.pressrepublican.com/news/local_news/student-mental-health-issues-now-a-growing-concern-for-school/article_e97fbb05-c6b7-59f9-8123-1f69d2da3be3.htmlThe need to strengthen mental-health services for public-school students has emerged as a major priority of classroom administrators across the state.
The New York State Council of School Superintendents concluded from an annual statewide survey of its members that enhancing services to deal with the emotional well-being of students has become their most widely cited priority.
The recognition that more resources are needed to provide such services where they don't already exist — and to strengthen programs where they do — comes as school districts are already gearing up to comply with a related state mandate that takes effect next July. …
STARTLING STATISTICS
A report issued recently by the Mental Health Association noted that 22 percent of youth ages 13 to 18 experience some form of serious mental disorder. …
With many North Country families facing economic hardship as the result of unemployment, underemployment or addiction, veteran Saranac Lake Middle School teacher Don Carlisto said, the children from such households often face serious emotional challenges.
"This is much more pronounced now than it was earlier in my career," said Carlisto, who became a teacher 22 years ago. "We see all types of mental health impacts from these situations." …